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My husband seems to have all the symptoms of absence seizures. He went to a neurologist that ran all kinds of tests and because all tests came back normal he diagnosed him with TIA's. Our regular Dr does not agree with this diagnosis and feels it is seizures even though his EEG tests were normal. He has one of these 3 or 4 times a year and is unresponsive and disorientated and sometimes has no idea where he is for awhile. He is very tired and does not feel well after an attack. Most of the things I have read says adults rarely have this kind of seizure. Does any one have any information or similar symptoms.

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11 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Absence seizuresMy husband seems to have all the symptoms of absence seizures. He went to a neurologist that ran all kinds of tests and because all tests came back normal he diagnosed him with TIA's. Our regular Dr does not agree with this diagnosis and feels it is seizures even though his EEG tests were normal. He has one of these 3 or 4 times a year and is unresponsive and disorientated and sometimes has no idea where he is for awhile. He is very tired and does not feel well after an attack. Most of the things I have read says adults rarely have this kind of seizure. Does any one have any information or similar symptoms.

I don't consider adult 'absence' seizures as Rare. More likely it's just not reported by a Majority of adults. As they are hard to note if you don't know what to watch for. But, from what you have described, it is possible he IS experiencing a seizure. Yes, the symptoms you described Have been noted by other Adults, including me. But, I read that TIA's are caused by disruption of oxygen to the brain. So, if it is TIA, they Can mimic seizure activity & post-ictal reactions.

Unfortunately, EEG's are not always Correct! Seizure activity must be present to be recorded. All my EEG's were Normal. After 30 yrs of 'normal' a New DR did a Portable EEG. This is a 48-72 hr test & is more likely to detect activity. Although it did not detect any Physical seizure activity, it was noted I have a Rare syndrome of Epilepsy. Wavy Line syndrome where No apparent activity occurs & only happens at nite. This is, also, a more common seizure type related to kids, rather than adults.

Advice: Seek Another Opinion! Preferably w/ an Epileptologist (seizure specialist) http://epilepsytalk.com/ has a list of Neuro's & Epi's recommended by others' w/ Epilepsy. There may be one listed in your area.

Advice: start a Journal! Read more about what to include in Helpful Tips.

I do hope you will keep us posted. If you have More questions, I will be happy to answer them for you. I'm not a DR. I've just been doing Epilepsy 'homework' for 20 yrs. Hugs!

I don't consider adult 'absence' seizures as Rare. More likely it's just not reported by a Majority of adults. As they are hard to note if you don't know what to watch for. But, from what you have described, it is possible he IS experiencing a seizure. Yes, the symptoms you described Have been noted by other Adults, including me. But, I read that TIA's are caused by disruption of oxygen to the brain. So, if it is TIA, they Can mimic seizure activity & post-ictal reactions.

Unfortunately, EEG's are not always Correct! Seizure activity must be present to be recorded. All my EEG's were Normal. After 30 yrs of 'normal' a New DR did a Portable EEG. This is a 48-72 hr test & is more likely to detect activity. Although it did not detect any Physical seizure activity, it was noted I have a Rare syndrome of Epilepsy. Wavy Line syndrome where No apparent activity occurs & only happens at nite. This is, also, a more common seizure type related to kids, rather than adults.

Advice: Seek Another Opinion! Preferably w/ an Epileptologist (seizure specialist) http://epilepsytalk.com/ has a list of Neuro's & Epi's recommended by others' w/ Epilepsy. There may be one listed in your area.

Advice: start a Journal! Read more about what to include in Helpful Tips.

I do hope you will keep us posted. If you have More questions, I will be happy to answer them for you. I'm not a DR. I've just been doing Epilepsy 'homework' for 20 yrs. Hugs!

Another suggestion: Keep a cam corder charged & ready to record one or more of his Episodes. If you have a cell phone that records, keep it charged & handy. There are Apps/notepad apps, on some cell phones, that can make recording your Journal simpler, too.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Absence seizuresAnother suggestion: Keep a cam corder charged & ready to record one or more of his Episodes. If you have a cell phone that records, keep it charged & handy. There are Apps/notepad apps, on some cell phones, that can make recording your Journal simpler, too.

Thank you dancer for answering my post. So I guess it could be either TIA's or seizures. Either way, they have the same symptoms it seems. One of my concerns is whether he should be driving. This last one was preceeded by blurred vision and being dizzy. He has had these off and on for three years. He only has one every three or four months, which is a blessing.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Absence seizuresThank you dancer for answering my post. So I guess it could be either TIA's or seizures. Either way, they have the same symptoms it seems. One of my concerns is whether he should be driving. This last one was preceeded by blurred vision and being dizzy. He has had these off and on for three years. He only has one every three or four months, which is a blessing.

Yes, There are quite a Number of different Health Issues that can mimic seizures. So, my question: Did his Dr do any tests for his Heart?

Considering the Symptoms you described & the frequency, I wouldn't let him Drive. No matter what the cause. His Safety & the safety of innocent ppl is, in my opinion, Top Priority. The majority of State DMV Laws require 6 mths to a Yr Seizure Free b4 patient is allowed driving privileges. The Laws for your State can be found at the epilepsyfoundation.org site. Should be a link In Resources. Or you can Google/Search.

OK, I know there are medications/treatments for Seizure Disorders. But, since he was dxed w/ TIA's didn't the Dr recommend any treatment? Hugs

Yes, There are quite a Number of different Health Issues that can mimic seizures. So, my question: Did his Dr do any tests for his Heart?

Considering the Symptoms you described & the frequency, I wouldn't let him Drive. No matter what the cause. His Safety & the safety of innocent ppl is, in my opinion, Top Priority. The majority of State DMV Laws require 6 mths to a Yr Seizure Free b4 patient is allowed driving privileges. The Laws for your State can be found at the epilepsyfoundation.org site. Should be a link In Resources. Or you can Google/Search.

OK, I know there are medications/treatments for Seizure Disorders. But, since he was dxed w/ TIA's didn't the Dr recommend any treatment? Hugs

Like Cani, my initial EEG were clean of any seizure activity. My seizures had been witnessed by family, friends, as well as my docs but nothing showed on the EEGs for about 2 yrs.

I was initially but on Zaronin, the med of choice in '75 for what looked like 'absence' seizures. When something did show, the "Z" turned out to be the wrong med. I was having complex compartial seizures. I had to do a totally different med treatment.

Many of my EEGs have shown no seizure activity despite eyewitness accounts and my reports. As Candi says, "timing is emportant".

Follow Candi's suggestions to the best of your ability. Give us posted as to how things are going.

Like Cani, my initial EEG were clean of any seizure activity. My seizures had been witnessed by family, friends, as well as my docs but nothing showed on the EEGs for about 2 yrs.

I was initially but on Zaronin, the med of choice in '75 for what looked like 'absence' seizures. When something did show, the "Z" turned out to be the wrong med. I was having complex compartial seizures. I had to do a totally different med treatment.

Many of my EEGs have shown no seizure activity despite eyewitness accounts and my reports. As Candi says, "timing is emportant".

Follow Candi's suggestions to the best of your ability. Give us posted as to how things are going.

I have a close friend who I have learned has Epilepsy Seizure Disorder. I just started reading up on it so I can better understand it and know what to watch for. Any suggestions on material?

Much Appreciated, Craiglish

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Absence seizuresI have a close friend who I have learned has Epilepsy Seizure Disorder. I just started reading up on it so I can better understand it and know what to watch for. Any suggestions on material?

Welcome to Epland/Epilepsy Community. First I want to Thank You for wanting to Know More. We are trying so hard to Inform the General Public. As the Oldest Disorder on Record, so few know anything about Epilepsy.

Have you visited WebMD Epilepsy Health Center? Link is posted at bottom of this page. Helpful Resources has more Links for learning and we have even more links: 'Weblinks to Epilepsy' posted in Popular discussions. For Now, The Most Important thing to learn is Proper Seizure First Aide!

Epilepsy has many aspects. From cause to Type to treatment. It's a Long Journey for some to find answers as to Why. Some will never Know why. Over 65% of those dx w/ Epilepsy have no clue Why.

What is Epilepsy: In a Nut shell: it is an electrical misfiring in our brains. Similar to a lightning storm. The misfiring affects 1 part of the brain for some. ie: Temporal Lobe, Others' have misfiring that includes the whole brain. When there is no misfiring (tests will confirm this) then it is known as Non-epileptic Seizures. These are brought on by Extreme stress & cannot be controlled by medications. Counselors/psychs are recommended.

As to what to watch for. For the majority of us w/ seizure disorders, seizures just happen out of the Blue, w/ no forewarning. Some of those w/ Epilepsy/seizure disorder, have a forewarning called an Aura. But, I've had Auras & did not feel/know it.

Encourage your friend to start a Daily Journal. (more info under Helpful Tips) & to Learn More, as you are doing. Education about All aspects of Epilepsy/seizure disorders can Help a Lot! Your Support & Knowledge will help your friend the most. If it is Possible, Please, go w/ your friend to the Neurologist. Especially if you have witnessed any episodes. Here is a Link to Questions that need to be asked. http://www.nomoreseizures.org/

Welcome to Epland/Epilepsy Community. First I want to Thank You for wanting to Know More. We are trying so hard to Inform the General Public. As the Oldest Disorder on Record, so few know anything about Epilepsy.

Have you visited WebMD Epilepsy Health Center? Link is posted at bottom of this page. Helpful Resources has more Links for learning and we have even more links: 'Weblinks to Epilepsy' posted in Popular discussions. For Now, The Most Important thing to learn is Proper Seizure First Aide!

Epilepsy has many aspects. From cause to Type to treatment. It's a Long Journey for some to find answers as to Why. Some will never Know why. Over 65% of those dx w/ Epilepsy have no clue Why.

What is Epilepsy: In a Nut shell: it is an electrical misfiring in our brains. Similar to a lightning storm. The misfiring affects 1 part of the brain for some. ie: Temporal Lobe, Others' have misfiring that includes the whole brain. When there is no misfiring (tests will confirm this) then it is known as Non-epileptic Seizures. These are brought on by Extreme stress & cannot be controlled by medications. Counselors/psychs are recommended.

As to what to watch for. For the majority of us w/ seizure disorders, seizures just happen out of the Blue, w/ no forewarning. Some of those w/ Epilepsy/seizure disorder, have a forewarning called an Aura. But, I've had Auras & did not feel/know it.

Encourage your friend to start a Daily Journal. (more info under Helpful Tips) & to Learn More, as you are doing. Education about All aspects of Epilepsy/seizure disorders can Help a Lot! Your Support & Knowledge will help your friend the most. If it is Possible, Please, go w/ your friend to the Neurologist. Especially if you have witnessed any episodes. Here is a Link to Questions that need to be asked. http://www.nomoreseizures.org/

Craig, If you don't want to buy the books, Please take note of Authors/Titles & go to your Local Library. Ask for the Research Librarian! They will be able to tell if books are available at your Library or find another Library that they can 'borrow' books from. They may even be able to find Bookstores w/ discounts for books that are not available. The First book I ever heard of: Treating Epilepsy Naturally, by Patricia Murphy. It has been Highly Recommended for the past 20 yrs.

Craig, If you don't want to buy the books, Please take note of Authors/Titles & go to your Local Library. Ask for the Research Librarian! They will be able to tell if books are available at your Library or find another Library that they can 'borrow' books from. They may even be able to find Bookstores w/ discounts for books that are not available. The First book I ever heard of: Treating Epilepsy Naturally, by Patricia Murphy. It has been Highly Recommended for the past 20 yrs.

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